News

DHS Posts Request for Applications for Workforce Incentive Grants

On August 14, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has posted a Request for Applications for Workforce Incentive Grants for care centers on the nursing facility provider portal.

New DHS FAQs for Aug. 1 Care Center Payments

On August 3, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a second Frequently Asked Questions document to help address some of the questions regarding the Aug. 1 payments sent to all care centers.

Top New Laws Starting Aug. 1

On August 3, 2023 by Mark Schulz

Several new laws became effective before or on Aug. 1 and impact senior care services in the state. While you can review more information about these changes and more in the 2023 Legislative Report, we have provided links to Advantage articles for topics previously discussed for easy reference and review.

DHS Seeking Proposals for CMP ResoLute Program Initiative

On July 27, 2023 by Julie Apold

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), through the Nursing Facility Rates and Policy (NFRP) Division and the State Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) Initiative, is seeking proposals from qualified Minnesota Medicaid-Certified Nursing Facilities interested in implementing the ResoLute Program.

DHS Develops FAQ for Aug. 1 Care Center Payments

On July 20, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been receiving many questions about the Aug. 1 payments that will be sent to all care centers.

DHS Updates Thresholds for Care Center Property Projects

On June 22, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced the updated property rate thresholds that will apply for projects after Oct. 1. There are two thresholds and two different types of property rate increase projects.

Attention Care Centers: Select New QIIP Goals Now

On June 22, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced that they have opened the selection process for all care centers in the Medical Assistance program to select a new goal to work on for another round of the Quality Improvement Incentive Payment Program (QIIP). Each year, based on their progress toward the goal they select, care centers receive a rate increase of $0 to $3.50 per resident day for QIIP. 

Permanent Remote Adult Day Services Option Available July 1

On May 11, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

Remote adult day services will be a permanent option for licensed adult day services providers beginning July 1.

MDH, DHS Postpone Nursing Home Provider Webinar

On April 13, 2023 by Mark Schulz

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) have postponed the webinar scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 17 to provide information on nursing home topics including:

• Receivership
• Closure and emergency relocation procedures
• The role of governing board

Waiver and Medical Assistance Financial Eligibility Renewals at the End of PHE Continuous Coverage Period

On April 13, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

On April 7, the Minnesota Department of Human Services released Bulletin #23-21-08: DHS Announces Key MHCP Eligibility Policies during the Unwinding Period (PDF), which announces timelines for restarting Medical Assistance renewals after Public Health Emergency continuous coverage requirements end. These timelines also apply to reassessments for waiver and AC programs, including financial eligibility redeterminations for the AC program.

Reminder from DHS: CADI and BI Age Limit for New Customized Living Settings

On April 13, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

In a recent bulletin, the Department of Human Services (DHS) reminded providers that effective Jan. 11, 2021, an age limitation was applied to new customized living (CL) services settings for Brain Injury (BI) and Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) waiver programs. Customized living services settings operational on or after Jan. 11, 2021, are limited to serving people on the BI and CADI waivers who are age 55 and older. This change was announced in the Implementation of the HCBS rule tiered standards, effective Jan. 11, 2021.

DHS Begins Posting Preliminary Quality of Life Survey Results for Care Centers

On March 16, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is starting to share the preliminary resident quality of life results from the current round of surveys.  Care centers can visit the DHS Provider Portal, click the Resident Quality of Life Ratings tab, and finally, the 2022 Observed Quality of Life Scores link.

HCBS Settings Rule Implementation Deadline Is Here

On March 9, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule became effective on March 17, 2014, with transition activities underway since that time. Due to covid delays, the date for full compliance is March 17.

Senate Human Services Holds Hearing on LTC Imperative Priorities

On March 2, 2023 by Erin Huppert

After a blizzard-induced postponement, the Senate Human Services Committee took up three long-term care bills championed by LeadingAge Minnesota and its Long-Term Care Imperative partner on Monday afternoon.  The three bills represent the breadth of aging services and the need to ensure they are available for seniors in all the places they call home. All three bills were laid over for inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill, which will be assembled and passed later this session.

2023 DHS PIPP Proposal Resources Available

On February 16, 2023 by Julie Apold

The 2023 Minnesota Department of Human Services Nursing Facility Performance-Based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) Request for Proposals (RFP) information is now available.

Providers Should Weigh Pros and Cons of Federal Employee Retention Credit 

On February 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

As more providers continue to look at applying for an Employee Retention Credit (ERC), LeadingAge, our national partner, has developed a Frequently Asked Questions document that covers issues around eligibility and applying for those funds. 

New Supplemental Nursing Services Agency Caps in Effect

On February 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Each year, the state calculates the average salary of RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and TMAs in care centers using the data from the annual cost reports. Then the state computes the statutory caps on the amount Supplemental Nursing Services Agencies (SNSAs) can charge per hour for each type of staff. The new caps, effective Jan. 1, show significant increases due to staffing cost increases during the pandemic. 

Required Training for Provider Enrollment and Revalidation

On January 26, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

Providers enrolled or seeking enrollment with the State Department of Human Services (DHS) as home and community-based service providers, including waiver-paid customized living or adult day services, must include evidence of two specific trainings.

Revalidation underway for HCBS Providers (organizations beginning with S & T) – Training Available

On January 12, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) sent revalidation notices at the end of December to Home and Community-Based Services (provider type 18 organizations starting with letters S and T).

Six Care Centers Apply for Moratorium Exceptions Process Funding

On January 5, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The current round of applications for nursing facility moratorium exceptions has closed. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently informed LeadingAge Minnesota that six care centers submitted proposals for this round. A review committee will hear the proposals in February, and the MDH commissioner will announce the approved projects by April 6.